Waka Taua
Keeping you connected
Waka Taua
Keeping you connected
Waka Taua was a large waka that could hold many people, just like our network. In the past it often transported parties going into battle - our cohort of learners are often misunderstood and misrepresented, our educators become warriors for our learners and working together strengthens our quest. Waka Taua connects Gifted Aotearoa Network members with each other and with information and opportunities to support you in your work with gifted students.
What’s going on right now
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We are getting ready to launch Waka Tīwai Matea Ako Tahi, our Gifted Education Network Hui. This is a series of regional Network Hui for educators to meet with each other and gifted education specialists. The first hui will be held later this term. If you are a network member, you’ll be emailed about hui in your region.
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We are also preparing for the first intake of Waka Tīwai Matea Ako Rua: Leadership Development. This is a short, four-module distance course for educators responsible for gifted learners, including GaTE Co-ordinators, SENCos, RTLBs and soon-to-be Learning Support Co-ordinators to equip you as you lead gifted education in your school or kura. Invitations to participate will be sent out shortly.
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Our Waka Ama Kaiārahi Brooke Trenwith, Rosemary Cathcart and Sue Barriball offer specialist support in gifted education to all network members. They are available now to personally respond to your queries, challenges or concerns related to gifted education. Scroll down to find out more about Waka Ama.
If you have not done so already, please scroll down to register with the Network and follow the Gifted Aotearoa Facebook page, so we can inform you of up-coming events and opportunities.
Waka Ama
Keeping you afloat
Waka Ama
Keeping you afloat
Waka Ama is a waka that requires an outrigger to keep balanced and afloat. Waka Ama provides access to Kaiārahi (leaders) in gifted education who provide on-the-spot support to educators and co-ordinators with an immediate need or query.
Our gifted education specialists are available to personally respond to your queries, challenges or concerns. Read through their bios and decide who best fits your needs in your current situation. Then email your query, challenge or concern to your chosen expert with "Gifted Aotearoa: Waka Ama" in the subject line. She will respond to you personally. All questions and answers will be collated and shared to the wider network so that everyone can benefit. We will ensure you are not identifiable in any way in this process. Go on ... Sue, Brooke and Rosemary are ready to help you now!
Sue Barriball
NZ Centre for Gifted Education
Email: sue.barriball@nzcge.co.nz
Sue is an experienced educator, having taught primary, secondary and tertiary levels, and has specialised in teaching gifted learners for the past 15 years. She is a former director of the George Parkyn National Centre for Gifted Education and REACH Education tutor, and currently oversees all student programmes at NZCGE. Sue has extensive knowledge and experience in gifted education, thinking skills, and the depth and complexity framework. In addition, Sue has delivered PLD online and face-to-face and presented nationally and internationally on gifted education. She is also a parent of gifted children and contributes regularly to both educator and parent groups.
Brooke Trenwith
NZ Association for Gifted Children
Email: president@giftedchildren.org.nz
Brooke is a New Zealand Representative on the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children and a MOE Accredited consultant. She has taught early childhood through to university level, been a GaTE Coordinator and was assistant director of an English Language School in Taiwan. Brooke was project leader of the Te Toi Tupu contract, helping schools develop robust, transparent and cohesive approaches to gifted education. Brooke’s specialisations include giftedness, inclusive education, relationship-based learning/cultural responsiveness, coaching/change management, thinking skills, digital fluency, innovative learning and collaborative practice. Brooke is on the Reference Group for the Ministerial Review of Curriculum, Progress and Achievement.
Rosemary Cathcart
REACH Education
Email: reacheducation@xtra.co.nz
Dr Rosemary Cathcart is director of REACH Education, Ministry-accredited providers of the award-winning Certificate of Effective Practice in Gifted Education, and was formerly founding director of the George Parkyn Centre for Gifted Education. Rosemary has been proactively involved in almost every aspect of gifted education for over 30 years, working intensively with children, teachers, parents, education groups and organisations and as a political advocate. She is deeply committed to supporting teachers and schools in improving their knowledge in this field, both through her published materials and through workshops, courses, conferences and individual advisory work.
Waka Tīwai
Learning together
Waka Tīwai
Learning together
Waka Tīwai were common waka. They were used often and were ideal for moving small groups of people – like our regional network hui. They were also used for recreation, which reflects our desire to enjoy what we are participating in.
Waka Tīwai is a series of regional Network Hui for educators to meet with each other and gifted education specialists. Participants will learn from and alongside each other, growing your capability to meet the needs of your gifted learners. The Gifted Aotearoa Network Hui are practical and collaborative, equipping educators with skills and understandings that can be immediately applied in any learning environment.
Please scroll down to register with the Network and follow the Gifted Aotearoa Facebook page, so we can send you updates in relation to Waka Tīwai.
Waka Kōpapa
Leading together
Waka Kōpapa
Leading together
Waka Kōpapa were common waka that were ideal for moving small groups of people together, just as our leadership development course helps to move groups of educators along on their journey as leaders in gifted education.
Waka Kōpapa is a short, four-module distance course for educators responsible for gifted learners, including GaTE Co-ordinators, SENCos, RTLBs and future Learning Support Co-ordinators to lead gifted education in your school or kura. This course provides professional learning, online resources, networking opportunities and individual support focused on strengthening your capacity and capability for developing and leading gifted provisions.
Module 1: Roles and responsibilities
Module 2: Policies, systems, procedures
Module 3: Critical issues
Module 4: Your strategic plan
Please scroll down to register with the Network and follow the Gifted Aotearoa Facebook page, so we can send you updates in relation to Waka Kōpapa.
Waka Hourua
Raising new leaders
Waka Hourua
Raising new leaders
Waka Hourua were waka used for travelling long distances. The intent of this Waka is to journey over time with local emerging leaders in gifted education, to develop their ability to lead gifted education initiatives in their community and to support other educators.
Key network members will be invited to participate for free. They will be paired with a Gifted Aotearoa Kaiārahi and will together establish and execute a plan that:
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develops skills and knowledge in leadership, gifted education and PLD delivery; and
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results in the production and presentation of a resource that reflects effective practice and meets a need of the Gifted Aotearoa network in the local community.
Resources may include a Waka Tīwai hui, Q & As for Waka Ama, or a practical resource or publication.
Please scroll down to register with the Network and follow the Gifted Aotearoa Facebook page, so we can send you updates in relation to Waka Hourua.
